Medical professionals estimate that of over 100 strains of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) approximately 30 strains of the virus are known to lead to genital warts. Genital warts are classified as a sexually transmitted disease, yet the exchange of bodily fluids during sexual intercourse is not required for the virus to spread. The highly contagious genital warts are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. The human Papilloma Virus that causes genital warts is transferable through oral sex, and genital HPV strains have been detected in warts that have formed in the mouth and throat. Once infected, it is also possible to spread genital warts to other parts of your body by scratching an infected area and then touching another body part, particularly in the genital area. It is important to wash your hands thoroughly should you accidentally come in contact with the genital warts on your body or come in contact with them during the application of a topical treatment. Vertical transmission is the name given to the transferal of genital warts from mother to baby during childbirth. While it is possible for a mother with genital warts to deliver a baby vaginally without transferal, there are some accounts of infection to the newborn from the mother. Though there is no hard proof that genital warts can be transferred from fomites ?objects that carry viral diseases from one person to another ?it is still good practice not to deliberately use a towel or other personal item that may have come in contact with genital warts. The effectiveness of your immune system plays a significant roll in the appearance of physical symptoms of genital warts and the degree to which they are present. For some, the physical signs of genital warts may appear in months. For other individuals, the appearance may take years. Human Papilloma Viruses are generally classified into two categories: High risk strains: those likely to lead to cancer of the cervix, anus, vagina, throat, or penis Low risk strains: those likely to lead to genital warts The individual strains of the Human Papilloma Virus that have been identified have each been assigned a number for reference purposes. Of the thirty strains identified as sexually transmitted, the following are more prevalent and considered high risk strains: 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 58 and 69. Oral strains include: 6, 7, 11, 13, 16, and 32. Low risk stains, those which can lead to genital warts, include: 6, 11, 42, and 43. Clinically known as Condylomata Acuminata, genital warts or venereal warts are one of the most prevalent forms of sexually transmitted disease. Annually, approximately 5.5 million new cases of the Genital Human Papilloma Virus are reported. Though 20 million Americans are believed to have genital HPV, less than 4% of those people have been diagnosed or are being treated for the virus. Most people show no physical symptoms and do not know that they have the virus. 90% of all reported cases of genital warts are of the low risk variety, strain number 6 or 11. |
